Gary Lewis, a multifaceted copywriter, shares his journey through the creative landscape, emphasising the importance of embracing messy journeys and neurodiversity.

He discusses the evolution of copywriting, the significance of emotional connections in marketing, and the challenges faced by working-class creatives. He also highlights the power of storytelling and the role of allyship in fostering supportive creative environments.

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Pitch Heather: [email protected]

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Takeaway

• Neurodiversity and career development
• The importance of professional allies
• The role of copywriting in creative expression

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gary Lewis

00:53 Intro - Gary Lewis

02:00 Navigating a Messy Journey

06:19 The Impact of Neurodiversity on Work

09:12 Understanding Neurodiversity in Marketing

12:04 The Role of Class in Copywriting

17:36 The Power of Copywriting for Creatives

23:32 The Power of Copywriting

29:02 The Role of Authenticity in Communication

33:16 Empathy and Support in Business

38:26 Building Alliances and Community

41:13 Creative Habits and Inspirations

46:30 Encouragement for the Underestimated

48:40 riverside_heather_ebanks_raw-audio_creatively_eccentric_0150.wav

Guest

Gary Does Copy

Creatively Eccentric™

Berenice Howard Smith shares her multifaceted journey as a designer, podcaster, and advocate for those who are childless not by choice. She discusses the importance of embracing creativity as a means of survival and healing, the value of community and support networks, and the challenges of navigating social media as a creative.

Berenice emphasises the significance of authenticity in storytelling and encourages listeners to reach out for help when feeling lost or broken. Her insights on the intersection of fear and creativity, as well as the power of messiness in the creative process, provide valuable lessons for anyone in the creative field.

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Pitch Heather: [email protected]

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Guest

Instagram Hello Lovely Design

Contact - Website

Takeaway

• Failure is a natural part of the creative process and not a personal flaw.
• Creativity can serve as a refuge and a way to heal from life's challenges.
• Embracing messiness and accidents can lead to unexpected and innovative ideas.
• Authenticity and honesty foster stronger connections and community.
• Sharing stories of vulnerability helps others feel less alone in their struggles.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Berenice Howard Smith

02:11 Navigating Life's Messy Journey

05:07 Creativity as a Healing Process

08:01 The Role of Failure and Fear

11:01 Exploring Creative Freedom

14:07 Curiosity and Diverse Interests

17:02 Finding Community and Support

23:02 Building Connections Beyond Labels

25:21 The Power of Community and Support

27:52 Navigating Childlessness and Shared Experiences

30:06 The Importance of Listening in Storytelling

33:08 Authenticity vs. Perfection in Social Media

38:00 Red Flags and Personal Boundaries in Work

40:08 Creative Inspirations and Personal Growth

45:27 Encouragement for the Struggling Creative

46:38 Outro

Creatively Eccentric™

Johanna, the founder of KCLAB,, shares her journey from a corporate marketing background to empowering culturally diverse creators. She discusses the importance of representation, visibility, and authenticity in marketing, emphasising the need for a supportive community.

She also addresses the challenges faced by black, mixed, and POC entrepreneurs and the significance of unlearning societal norms to embrace one's true identity. The discussion highlights the power of storytelling and the necessity of creating spaces for diverse voices in the marketing landscape.

Takeaways

• Challenges faced by culturally diverse entrepreneurs
• Strategies for authentic visibility without burnout
• The role of identity and cultural fluency in branding

Connect

Pitch Heather: [email protected]

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Chapters

00:00 Empowering Diverse Voices in Marketing

03:05 Navigating a Messy Journey: From Science to Marketing

05:40 Unlearning Limitations: Embracing Authority and Visibility

08:11 The Importance of Representation in Branding

10:52 Authority vs. Visibility: Building Your Brand Identity

13:57 Being Unapologetically You: Embracing Authenticity

16:27 Breaking the Cycle: Redefining Visibility Strategies

19:30 Navigating Burnout and Community Support

21:06 The Importance of Representation in Entrepreneurship

22:58 Overcoming Barriers for Culturally Diverse Entrepreneurs

24:55 Monetizing Expertise Without Commodifying Identity

29:24 Lighthearted Insights and Creative Rituals

34:06 Authenticity and Its Impact on Future Generations

Guest

Instagram - Kclab - Media

Made Visable By Jo

Contact - Website

Creatively Eccentric™

In this engaging conversation, Steve Chapman shares his multifaceted journey as an artist, writer, and podcaster. He reflects on the messiness of life, the importance of reconnecting with childhood creativity, and the human side of creativity as a means of self-expression.

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Pitch Heather: [email protected]
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Guest

Steve Chapman's Instagram

Creative Adventures Podcast

Website

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Steve Chapman and his creative identity

00:57 Resonance with bold voices and messy journeys

01:14 The beauty of messiness in creative life

01:36 Valuing strangeness and neurodivergence 

02:29 Reconnecting with the playful, free spirit of childhood

03:10 The contrast between free childhood and cautious adulthood

05:48 How to reconnect with your creative innocence

06:35 Quantum flirting and openness to inspiration

08:44 Creativity as a way of being human

10:37 The essence of spontaneous self-expression

12:11 The internal and external freedom in creativity

13:27 Why we hide our process and how to celebrate wonkiness

14:44 The ongoing presence of fear and anxiety in creative work

16:59 The curious project of the silent podcast

18:13 The adventure of recording silence with celebrities

21:21 The power of silence and presence in conversations

22:18 The magic of stage presence and masks

23:59 Designing meaningful endings in creative projects

24:44 Drop in and out of the industry for freedom

26:00 Staying on the edges of creativity to protect authenticity

27:01 Challenging norms and questioning industry standards

29:23 The importance of inner work and self-belief

32:03 Masks as a mirror to hidden parts of ourselves

34:52 The transformative power of mask workshops

36:18 Unexpected insights from mask exploration

38:39 Deep empathy and intense moments in mask work

40:42 Handling intense emotional moments with masks

43:43 The unexpected items in the studio drawer

44:16 Breaking out of creative ruts with curiosity

46:35 Misunderstandings and assumptions about creative work

47:55 The most ridiculous item in the studio

49:38 The story of the crow friend and nature connection

51:29 Supporting your creative curiosity and fascination

52:10 Connecting with Steve via social media and website

Mentions

Jim Moir 

Terry Waite

Creatively Eccentric™

In this solo episode, I reflect on how Q1 2026 shifted from fear to momentum in my creative journey. What started as doubts about finding guests quickly changed when I began putting myself out there—experimenting with outreach, newsletters, and genuine connection.

I’ve learned that people are more open than we think, and that building relationships matters more than having a perfect plan. This is a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when you stay flexible, take action, and keep showing up.

Connect

Pitch Heather: [email protected]

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Takeaways

• Community building
• Be more flexible and agile
• Community building

Chapters

• 00:00 Starting the New Year
• 05:16 Experimenting and Adapting
• 13:12 Building Connections

Mentions

Freelancer Magazine

Fuse

Creatively Eccentric™

Kayleigh Hall’s creative journey doesn’t follow the usual rules — and that’s exactly the point.

In this episode, Kayleigh shares how her upbringing, early work experiences, and fascination with human behaviour shaped her approach to branding as something far deeper than aesthetics. 

From leaving formal education to falling in love with typography and design psychology, her path is a reminder that creativity often grows in unexpected places.

We talk about social mobility, class, and the quiet inner conflict that can come with visibility when you didn’t start from the same place. She also reflects on confidence, clarity, and why understanding yourself — and your audience — can change how you show up in your work and your career.

This conversation is for creatives embracing non-linear paths, trusting their intuition, and building work that actually feels like them.

Takeaways

• Embrace your unique journey and the lessons learned along the way.
• Understand the psychology behind design to create meaningful connections.
• Align your creative endeavours with business goals for impactful outcomes.
• Never underestimate the value of practical experience in shaping your career.

Connect

Pitch Heather: [email protected]

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kayleigh Hall

02:28 The Journey of a Renegade Designer

04:39 Education: A Blend of Tradition and Rebellion

09:20 The Psychology Behind Design Decisions

12:19 Art and Science: Building a Sustainable Creative Career

15:54 Supporting Creatives: The Drop-In Clinic

20:41 Social Mobility and Creativity

27:57 Finding Comfort in Self-Employment

32:31 Advice for Aspiring Creatives

36:01 Studio Draw: Behind the Scenes of Creativity

45:43 Outro

Guest

Hall Creative

Instagram

LinkedIn

Mentions:

Mother London

Creatively Eccentric ™

Dominique reflects on finding her voice while navigating new cultures, languages, and identities — often starting from scratch. She shares how learning to speak in unfamiliar spaces became less about communication and more about claiming who she is.

We also explore the tension of being hyper-visible yet unheard as a creative of colour, the pressure of representation, and why your voice deserves space without carrying everyone else’s weight.

Connect

Pitch Heather: [email protected]
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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dominique Van Werkhoven 

04:35 Embracing Bold Voices and Messy Journeys

07:12 Finding Your Voice in New Cultures

09:40 Navigating Hyper-Visibility and Invisibility

12:24 The Importance of Community and Safe Spaces

14:19 Owning Your Voice and Trusting Your Instincts

17:08 Supporting Underrepresented Voices in Business

23:47 Empowering Small Businesses Through Marketing

26:01 Leadership Lessons from Creative Collaboration

33:01 Balancing Support and Goals in Creative Work

35:35 Embracing Mistakes as Opportunities for Growth

38:55 The Journey of Being Seen and Finding Voice

43:57 Outro

Takeaways

• Navigating hyper-visibility and invisibility is a common challenge for people of colour in creative spaces.
• Community support is crucial for individuals facing challenges related to visibility and identity.
• Leadership in creative spaces involves supporting others and fostering their ideas.
• Small businesses and nonprofits can create significant impact through visibility and effective marketing.

Guest

The Werks

Linkedin - Dominique

Linkedin - Gideon

Instagram

Creatively Eccentric ™

What if fashion wasn’t just about aesthetics—but about power, politics, and who gets heard?

In this episode of Creatively Eccentric, I chat with Daisy Riley, founder of the political fashion zine The Grey, to explore how creativity can be a form of activism. Daisy is redefining what fashion media can be by pushing past glossy trends and celebrity culture to spotlight substance, storytelling, and social impact.

We dive into the creation of The Grey and why Daisy felt compelled to challenge the limitations of mainstream fashion publications. She shares how fashion operates as a universal language—one that reflects culture, identity, and inequality—and why it deserves deeper, more critical conversations.

She also opens up about navigating imposter syndrome, particularly as a woman carving out space in a traditionally gatekept industry. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of trusting your voice, embracing authenticity, and building confidence through meaningful work.

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform.

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Pitch Heather: [email protected]

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Guest

The Grey Zine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegreyzine/

Mentions

London College of Fashion
Alterist | Alexander McQueen | Vivienne Westwood

Key Takeaways

• Imposter syndrome is a common challenge
• Tokenism in fashion can lead to feeling visible but undervalued
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Daisy and The Grey

00:17 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

00:54 Host Introduction - Daisy Riley

02:14 Educational Background and Early Career

05:01 Fashion Lovers vs. Fashion Followers

07:03 The Value of Physical Print

08:55 Challenging the Frivolous Narrative of Fashion

10:46 Tips for Aspiring Creators

13:05 Experiences with Tokenism

14:27 Fashion's Historical Exclusivity

17:02 Using Fashion as a Tool for Self-Expression

18:43 Inspirational Figures in Fashion

21:11 Behind the Scenes: Studio Draw Segment

24:49 Fashion as Free Speech

25:25 Conclusion and Contact Information

26:05 Outro

Creatively Eccentric™️

In this solo quarter-year reflection, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes reality of starting Creatively Eccentric. Four months into the podcast, I reflect on how fear, perfectionism, and waiting to feel “ready” kept me hiding my work—and how that was hurting my reach.

I talk about why visibility isn’t the problem—fear is, and how letting go of rigid expectations, embracing imperfection, and introducing solo episodes helped me move forward. Some of the episodes I’ve doubted most have resonated deeply with listeners, reminding me that work doesn’t need to be perfect to be valuable.

This episode is a reminder that hiding your work doesn’t protect you—it limits your reach. Visibility requires showing up imperfectly, accepting fear and vulnerability as part of being human, and learning as you go.

If you’re a creative with a bold voice, a messy journey, and zero apologies, I’d love to hear from you—Creatively Eccentric is always looking for guests who align with the podcast’s values and mission.

Details in the description

Takeaways:

• Visibility isn’t the problem—fear is.
  Waiting to feel ready or perfect often delays progress more than it protects your work.
• Hiding your work limits your reach.
  If people can’t see what you’re creating, they can’t connect with it or support it.
• Starting imperfectly creates momentum.
  Progress comes from showing up, learning in public, and allowing the work to evolve.
• Your work doesn’t need to be perfect to resonate.
  What you doubt as a creator may be exactly what someone else needs.

Timestamps

00:00 The Journey Begins: Launching the Podcast

04:26 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Imperfection

06:13 Visibility and Opportunities: Breaking Free from Fear

07:12 Listener Questions

08:39 Guest Call-Out Invitation

08:53 Outro

Mentions:

Emerging Voices

https://www.instagram.com/emergingvoicesstudio/

The thoughts and opinions shared by the host and guests are their own.

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform.

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Pitch Heather: [email protected]

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Instagram: Creatively Eccentric
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LinkedIn: Heather Ebanks
Support the show: Buy a Ko-Fi

In this conversation, I had the pleasure of speaking with Louisa Shaeri about her powerful work as a coach for neurodivergent creatives and culture shapers. As we talked, I found myself deeply resonating with her reflections on value, identity, and the systems we move through—systems that so often feel ill-fitting for people who think and create differently.

Mentions

Website: https://www.valorize.systems/

Podcast: The Unmasking Unschool

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisashaeri/

Thinking Systems - Donella Meadows

https://theautisticadvocate.com/

https://theneurodivergentbrain.org/audhd/

Takeaways

• Fitting into an ill-fitting system limits potential and growth.
• Neurodivergent individuals often face challenges in traditional coaching environments.
• Self-doubt can prevent individuals from fully embracing their value.
• Unmasking is a continuous journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Louisa Shaeri and Her Work

04:45 The Journey of Finding One's Voice

08:53 Understanding Systems and Their Impact

12:30 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Value

16:32 The Role of Education in Creative Industries

20:29 Cognitive Justice and Unmasking

24:51 The Importance of Visibility and Self-Discovery

25:25 Understanding AUDHD and Neurodivergence

30:03 The Creative Process and Identity

30:51 Studio Draw: The Messy Side of Creativity

35:26 Advice on Finding Your Value in Creativity

37:37 Outro

The thoughts and opinions shared by the host and guests are their own.

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and subscribe

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Pitch Heather: [email protected]

Subscribe & Listen: Creatively Eccentric

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Instagram: Creatively Eccentric
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